1. A compilation of Suggestions on How to Study Jeff Fineberg

2. An interesting quote: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein

3. What is a reasonable academic goal for most students?  Obtain the highest grades possible  Graduate  Balance academic work with –Relationships –Recreation –work

4. How can you get there? –Register for necessary courses –Attend classes –Organize and review your notes –Work on assignments –Work on projects –Make Study a habit –Organize your time…

5. Organize a schedule to fit the various activities in a day ( details available in Time Management class) 24 hour day

6.  The Immediate Environment The environment in which you study can have a big effect on how efficient your study time is. Check your place of study for the following conditions:  Noise  Interruptions  Lighting  Temperature  Neatness  Comfort  Equipment Copyright - Counseling Services, State University of New York at Buffalo http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/stressstudy.shtml

7. Techniques for improving your studying to enhance your academic performance

8. Take Notes in Class & Rewrite Them at Home  Take Notes Take Notes Take Notes  Take Complete Notes Take Complete Notes Take Complete Notes  Use Abbreviations Use Abbreviations Use Abbreviations  Neatness Doesn't Count Neatness Doesn't Count Neatness Doesn't Count  Ask Questions & Make Comments Ask Questions & Make Comments Ask Questions & Make Comments  Copy Your Notes at Home Copy Your Notes at Home Copy Your Notes at Home  Don't Take Notes on a Computer Don't Take Notes on a Computer Don't Take Notes on a Computer  Don't Rely on the Instructor's Lecture Notes Don't Rely on the Instructor's Lecture Notes Don't Rely on the Instructor's Lecture Notes Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

9. Study Hard Subjects First & Study in a Quiet Place  Study hard subjects first. Each night (or day) when studying or doing your homework, do those subjects first for which you need to be alert and energetic. Leave the easier, or more fun, subjects to later.  Study in a quiet place, with as few distractions as possible. Do not listen to music or TV: It is virtually impossible to do two things at once if one of them is studying. Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

10. Read Texts Actively & Slowly, before & after Class  Read actively, not passively Read actively, not passively Read actively, not passively  Read slowly Read slowly Read slowly  Highlight the text in the margin Highlight the text in the margin Highlight the text in the margin  Make notes in the margin Make notes in the margin Make notes in the margin  Keep a notebook Keep a notebook Keep a notebook  Read literature quickly and passively the first time Read literature quickly and passively the first time Read literature quickly and passively the first time  Read before and after class Read before and after class Read before and after class Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html

11. Do your homework  Do it and do it on time – don’t wait for the last minute crunch!  For problem sets (exercises) –do them on scratch paper, then create a final copy –Keep a copy for your reference –Don’t just write the answers – show how you got the answer Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

12. Study for exams (scheduling)  Begin around 1 week before (1 hr per day)  The day before the exam, try to spend the entire day/night studying  Final exams – spend as much time as possible Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

13. Study for Exams (cont.) Make a study outline (of important points)  Use recopied notes, highlighted text and your notebook  Condense the material onto the front sides of 1 or 2 pieces of paper  Do your studying from these sheets Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

14. Study for Exams (cont.) Write sample essays and solve sample problems  Simply looking over your material may not be enough to prepare you for doing well on an exam  Try to anticipate what questions may be on the test and try to answer them  Practice past homework assignments  Practice past quizzes / tests  Practice solving problems from text Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

15. When do you stop studying?  Not when you’re tired of studying  Not just because you reviewed all the material a single time  When you feel confident that you know the material  When you’re actually eager to see the exam to find out if you guessed its contents correctly! Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.htmlWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu

16. Additional ideas  Try to see the interesting aspects of ALL classes you take. The more interest you generate, the better you will do.  Look at more than one book on a subject if necessary (go to the library)  Go to class with your assignments prepared  Avoid procrastination – remember…work before pleasure  Time is a precious resource – use it wisely  Any others?

17. Good Luck…don’t wait!!! Start using some of these techniques today!

18. References  Dr. William Rapaport – University at Buffalo http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) file: howtostudy-2005-02- 03.html (see topic “Manage Your Time”) Copyright © 1999-2005 by William J. Rapaport (rapaport@cse.buffalo.edu) file: howtostudy-2005-02- 03.html (see topic “Manage Your Time”)William J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.eduWilliam J. Rapaportrapaport@cse.buffalo.edu  UB’s Student Affairs website on “Time Management” http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/stressstudy.shtml http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/stressstudy.shtml Copyright - Counseling Services, State University of New York at Buffalo Copyright - Counseling Services, State University of New York at Buffalo  http://www.how-to-study.com/ - a Study Skills Resource Site http://www.how-to-study.com/  Barron’s “A Pocket Guide to Study Tips”  Harry Maddox “How to Study”